Page 27 - The Indian EYE 021221

NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline February 12, 2021 | The Indian Eye 27

sPlit in halF:

indian americans support liberal ideas in

uS, most still support modi in india

Indian Americans have mixed opinions about India’s trajectory as a democracy

Our Bureau
New York
A
report released on Tues-
day based on a survey
of the Indian American
community in September last
year, indicates that Indian Amer-
icans have mixed opinions on
the present trajectory of Indian
democracy. The survey was con-
ducted by YouGov for Carnegie
Endowment for International
Peace, Johns Hopkins Universi-
ty, and the University of Pennsyl-
vania between September 1 and
September 20. It had a total of these, 60% were opposed to the acy in the US as a threat to mi- and important.”
1,200 respondents. ‘Muslim travel ban’ imposed by norities. Only 40% of the Hindus The range of political aware-
The survey reiterated the former US President Donald were apprehensive of Hindu ma- ness and opinions among the
popularity of the Bharatiya Ja- Trump but only 49% opposed joritarianism, compared to 67% survey’s respondents reflects
nata Party (BJP) among the the Indian government’s Citizen- of the non-Hindus. the diverse demographics of the
community as 32% favored BJP ship Amendment Act (CAA). With a population of over 4 diaspora. “Overall, our sample
while just 12% backed the Con- While holding relatively lib- million, Indian Americans are supports Modi more than they
gress. However, 40% of the re- eral views when it comes to US now the second largest immi- don’t,” said Sumitra Badrina-
spondents said that they don’t politics, Indian Americans are grant group in America, and than, a PhD candidate at the
identify with any political party. conservative when it comes to is- wooing them has been an im- University of Pennsylvania and
The report stated, “an arms- sues back in India. For example, portant element of the Modi a co-author of the report. “But
length relationship to everyday it says, “Hindus and non-Hindus government’s foreign policy. when you break that up, you see
politics in India.” agree (the latter more so) that Support for him, the survey stark differences by religion, age,
Modi continues to remain white supremacy is a threat in the shows, is highest among Hindus education, etc.”
popular among Indian Amer- United States, but significantly and Republicans in the diaspora. Modi’s support is highest
icans as 35% strongly approve diverge on the threat posed by Milan Vaishnav, director among self-identified Repub-
of his job performance and 13% Hindu majoritarianism in India.” and senior fellow of the South licans and Hindu members of
approve. While a total of 9% of On the issue of China too, Asia Program at the Carnegie the diaspora: almost seven in
the respondents disapproved the community was split. “Indi- Endowment for International 10 Hindus approve of Modi’s
and 22% strongly disapproved. an Americans are divided about Peace and one of the report’s performance, while only one
As per the report, the greatest US efforts to strengthen India’s authors, said that concerns over in five Muslims approve of it.
Modi supporters include Repub- military as a check against China. government corruption and the His approval rating is highest
licans, Hindus, people in the en- Foreign-born Indian Americans economy might resonate with among those above the age of
gineering profession, those not and those who identify as Re- the diaspora because it points to 50, while 43% of the survey’s
born in the United States, and publicans are more supportive why many moved to the US in youngest respondents (those
people who hail from North and of US efforts to support India the first place. aged between 18 and 29) dis-
West India. militarily than their US-born and “One of the most consistent approve of him. Modi is also
Another finding of the study Democratic counterparts…” the refrains during Modi’s first term more popular among recent
is that Indian Americans are survey found. Overall, Indian was that he really put India on immigrants when compared to
more liberal on issues affecting Americans held a more unfavor- the map,” he said. “There has those who have been in the US
the United States and relatively able view of China than the gen- been a sense amongst the dias- for over 25 years. Interestingly,
conservative on issues relating to eral US population. pora that India has been seen as respondents who disapproved
India. The report cited an exam- A little over half believed Hin- a large country, but not a partic- of former President Donald
ple where 90% of respondents du majoritarianism was a threat ularly important one – and they Trump are divided in their
agreed members of all faiths to minorities in India, while as believe that under Modi, India opinion on Modi: 41% approve
should be treated equally. From many as 73% saw white suprem- has the potential to be both large of him, while 38% disapprove.

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